Vol. 541 No. 2
99 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received a reply from the Chief Justice regarding his request to consider ways in which long delays in trials can be avoided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22006/01]
I wrote to the Chief Justice recently expressing my concern at the persistent delays in hearing cases in the Central Criminal Court and I have received a reply from the Chief Justice in that regard.
In his reply to me, the Chief Justice informed me, inter alia, that the board of the Courts Service has concluded that it should undertake a comprehensive review of the current distribution of jurisdiction and business among the courts with a view to making proposals to me in accordance with section 6(2)(f) of the Courts Service Act, 1998.
The Chief Justice in his reply also raised the question of the need for additional judges. In this regard, provision is being made in the Courts and Court Officers Bill, 2001, at present before Dáil Éireann, for an increase in the number of ordinary judges which may be assigned to the High Court from 24 to 25. There are also proposals in the same Bill for significant changes in the civil jurisdictions of the Circuit and District Courts which may impact on the numbers of judges needed in the various courts and I will be keeping this matter under review.
